Newsletter Spring 03

Donation Form

DBSC Newsletter Abbreviation Information
In order to save space here, we will often abbreviate "DB" for Deaf-Blind.

Director's Letter
By Gail Ploman

On March 11, 2003, I invited a group of DB individuals to meet with me, some DBSC Staff and a few Board members. The purpose of the meeting was to gather important feedback from "stakeholders" (DB people) about how to plan for DBSC's future. At this meeting, many good ideas were discussed. It was a good start. We will have more meetings with more DB people involved in 2004 to help make decisions about DBSC's future. With our country's unstable economy right now and with so much competition for grants and other funds, DBSC needs to have a strong and well-supported direction and strategic plan to follow. I want all DB people to know that DBSC is your agency and your ideas and opinions are important and valuable. DBSC Staff and Board will continue to work on developing a strong and good plan for maintaining current services and for adding new services in the future. We will also "study" how DBSC can work with other agencies and share resources. If you are interested in helping DBSC plan for the future, please contact me or Jeff Foster, DBSC Board President. Thank you!

Many people contributed wonderful support to DBSC this past winter. Woodinville High School students generously gave $1,031 to DBSC from donations collected at their "Sounds of Silence" Signs for Harmony performance. Last year ASL students from Highline Community College and Jackie Engler worked hard to raise $969.75 for DBSC by selling Krispie Kreme donuts! Please join me in thanking these creative and amazing students for their gifts to DBSC. Also, many thanks to all the DB, Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members who attended our "Touch of Italy" fundraising dinner in February. The Board's fundraising committee along with several dedicated volunteers made this event successful and fun!

Some big and exciting changes are happening in the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Mike O'Brien, DVR Director in Olympia and his staff made a commitment to support the employment needs of DB people in Washington State, starting with a DB mentor program for DB people to experience and learn about different jobs. DBSC applauds Mike for his success in getting an agreement between DVR and Department Services for the Blind (DSB) to work together for DB people needing jobs.

If you want to learn more about what DVR is doing for DB people, please contact DBSC advocates.

Letter From The Board
By Caryn Tenin, Vice-President

Hello everyone! DBSC Board members are pleased to share some exciting news with you about what has been happening at DBSC in the last few months.

We welcome Kathy Steiner, (Deaf, sighted) as our newest Board member! She has quickly jumped right in and is active in both the board meetings and fundraising events.

Did you know that DBSC has wanted to move to a new location? We have a "Moving Committee" hard at work on this goal. We have done research and attended lots of meetings. We have met with several people from the Hearing, Speech, and Deafness Center (HSDC) to negotiate a deal to rent the top floor of the old HSDC building. We are very close to an agreement.

Why is the old HSDC building a good choice? It is in a more central location on Capital Hill, easier to access by bus and has a vibrating cross walk signal close by to make crossing the street safer. It also has air conditioning! The DB Community is very supportive of DBSC's move based on results the Board and Staff have gathered from interviews. Thanks to our committee members: Jeff Foster (Board President), Caryn Tenin (Vice President), Gail Ploman (Executive Director) and Marie Massena (Administrative Assistant) for their hard work. We will let you know when everything is finalized!

Our Fundraising committee is growing fast and very energetic. Diane Black is the committee chair. There are twelve committee members, and we work very well together! Our fundraising event "Touch of Italy" on Feb. 22nd was a big smash! We did not expect an overflowing full house!

Our next big fundraising event, "DBSC'S 1st ANNUAL WALKATHON" has been postponed until next year. The next DBSC event will be the picnic at Ravenna Park on Saturday, August 2nd.

Have a happy spring with flowers blooming!

New Board Member
My name is Kathy Steiner. I have been married to Danny Steiner for 34 years. I have 3 children and 7 grandchildren with one more due in May!
I currently work at Puget Sound Residential Services (PSRS), providing services to DB developmentally disabled clients. I have been working at PSRS for 12 years in various positions from program coordinator to program assistant. I really enjoy helping people in a variety of ways from giving them rides when needed to helping with interpreter services. I enjoy my position as a board member with DBSC and it's continuation of service to the community.

Program Updates

Advocacy and Case Management Program
By Liz Halperin

Demonstration Equipment
We are able to demonstrate and discuss two new small and portable CCTVs (Closed Circuit Televisions, not to be confused with Closed Captioning on television) available on the market. They are the MiniViewer by Telesensory and the PocketViewer by PDI/HumanWare. Each model has definite pros and cons. We also have some basic information on the Optalec Traveler model, but do not have one to show.

We can demonstrate computer scanning and enlargement optical character recognition (OCR) software for blind people also. You would need to come to the DBSC office for this demonstration.

For demonstrations and discussions of the equipment, contact Liz Halperin for an appointment.

Mini-Newsletter
In January, the Advocacy Program sent out a mini-newsletter to all the DB people on our state mailing list. This newsletter update was completely focused on programs and events relevant to DB people. It was presented by categories of national, state, King County, and Seattle news. The mini-newsletter has received many positive compliments from DB people statewide. We will continue to send one summer and winter (between the main newsletters) if we have enough information. Because of "Free Matter for the Blind", the only cost to our budget was the paper and printing.

Trainings
Dave Scotton took a two-day training about Social Security programs (SSI, SSDI, Work Incentives, etc.) to learn about eligibility, program limits, etc. You can contact Dave if you have concerns about your SS benefits or just want to learn more.

Last December, we provided trainings on Sighted Guide techniques to group home and intensive tenant support program staff who work with DB/Developmentally Delayed (DB/DD) people. We hope to continue providing workshops on various topics to this group of service providers.

Liz Halperin will be giving a workshop at the national American Association of Deaf-Blind (AADB) conference in San Diego this July. The title is "Advocacy: Seattle Style!" The workshop will focus on choice and empowerment of all people.

SPRINT Internet Relay Service
We have been trying out another Sprint Relay Service option, which is to use the internet. If you have internet service for your computer, you can go to www.sprintrelayonline.com. Type in the phone number you want to call. There is a box for added dialing information, but you can also use that space to type that you are Deaf-Blind and that it will take you a moment to make your color and size settings. Then hit the red box to connect. (The black box will take you to Customer Service.)

A new window will come up, with two boxes. The top box is where the relay operator types. The bottom box is where the user (you) type. Both of these boxes have settings options. The first option is font size. That goes up to size 24. The next option is text color, the third option is background color. You can choose from many colors, such as white letters on black background or yellow letters on blue background, etc. You have to do these settings on both top and bottom boxes. You cannot save the settings-you have to reset them every time you make an internet relay call.

These boxes may still be too small, but if you have ZoomText, you can use ZoomText on top of it all. The letters stay clear in ZoomText and the screen looks good.

At the top of the window are more options where you can disconnect your call, save the information to your computer, or make a print out of the call. For some low vision DB people, internet relay may be a nice alternative to TTY with LVD. If you would like a demonstration, contact one of the DBSC advocates.

(By the way, hearing, sighted people can also use this relay service to call Deaf and Deaf-Blind people.)

DB Interpreter Mentorship Program
By Marie Massena

DBSC is currently advertising for a new Mentorship Coordinator. Until a new one is hired I will be the coordinator. We'd like to encourage you to become involved as a Mentor, a Mentee, or as someone who has a good opportunity in mind for a Mentorship team. This is really a fantastic program and is vital to our DB community. Your involvement can range from one time to on-going. It gives working interpreters an opportunity to interpret with DB clients to improve your current level of DB interpreting experience. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like us to send you a brochure or application.

Staff News
Hello, Salwa Rosen here! I am the new person at DBSC. I am hearing and sighted. I started working here in February a few hours a week as a temporary office assistant. I am currently a first-year student in the Interpreter Training Program at Seattle Central Community College (SCCC). I was lucky to have Patrick Cave and Mary Bauer as my teachers last fall quarter for my DB Interpreting class. I am originally from Ann Arbor Michigan. Later I lived in New Mexico. I moved to Seattle last September to continue my educational pursuit of becoming an interpreter. I've enjoyed becoming more involved in the DB community and I look forward to meeting you.

DBSC Announcements

Touch of Italy
By Mary Bauer

Big cheers to the DB Community for participating in the February 22nd "Touch of Italy" DBSC Fundraiser. We had approximately 120 people come join us for some yummy spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and ice cream. Everyone really enjoyed an evening of socializing and filling up their stomachs with Italian food. Thank you to everyone from the DB, Deaf, and Hearing communities who bought tickets to the event. It was a huge success!! A special thank you to our team of ASL students from Highline Community College who eagerly helped set-up and clean-up our event. The DBSC Fundraising committee did a great job planning and the DB community appreciates their enthusiasm. People enjoyed getting their pictures taken under an Italian arch with Roman columns draped with lighted purple grapes. And many people learned the colors of the Italian flag which were set up at the center of each table. We'll keep you posted for our next fundraising event and hope to see you all there!

Newsletter Update
We are changing our newsletter publication to twice a year. We will send it out in Fall and Spring time.

Join the Board
DBSC is looking for new Board members with experience in legal and financial areas. If interested please contact Lynn Martinez at LDM2bigkids@aol.com or DBSC (206) 323-9178 V/TTY.

DBSC 2003 Event (save this date!)
August 2nd - DBSC Annual Picnic
At Ravenna Park - 2000 NE 58th 98105

Moving? New email address? Please update your address and email with DBSC!! (206) 323-9178 V/TTY or dbsc@speakeasy.net

DBSC Office Hours During AADB
Most of DBSC's staff (5 of us) will be attending AADB! This means that DBSC will not be open regular hours Monday to Friday the week of July 12 - 18th. DBSC main phone will be checked for messages occasionally.

Thank You!!
Jean Healy has donated a beautiful tactile picture of flowers for the wall at DBSC!

Thank you to Brent Anderson for all your hard work and support with our data base. Your knowledge is so valuable to us!

DBSC would like to thank Mark Tauscher and SPRINT, Inc. for the donation of two Logitech WebCams for Video Relay Service use. Some of our staff are visually able to make use of this new technology so we are excited to add it to our communication options. We will also be able to demonstrate it to clients when fully operational.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Dial 711, Pay Sprint
By Laura Cospito

Did you know that when you call 711 Relay to make a LONG DISTANCE call, you will automatically get billed by Sprint? You have to ask the relay operator to use your long distance company of choice, or they will automatically use Sprint. You can call Customer Service at 1-800-676-3777 and request that all long distance calls that you make will be charged to a different phone company (MCI, AT&T, Working Assets, etc.) and they will make sure that happens. Regardless of the carrier, the cost of the call (per minute) depends on the time it is made, where you are calling, and other details of your calling plan. You do have a choice, but you have to call Customer Service to request a company OTHER than Sprint. DBSC Advocates can assist in setting up a relay profile!

Where to get Emergency Warning and Information
By Donna Platt

Washington State is considered one of few states that is at high risk for both natural (earthquake, flood, windstorm) and manmade (terrorism, chemical spill) disasters. Many Deaf, DB and Hard of Hearing people are worried about their safety because of no emergency warning or information.

Washington State 9-1-1/TTY Education Program has been busy doing research and collecting information that will help Deaf, DB and Hard of Hearing people have access to emergency warning and information. You can get emergency information via email, text pager, website or other ways.

If you are interested in having a workshop by the 9-1-1/TTY Education Program or you want more information, please contact Donna Platt at (206) 322-4996 TTY/V, (206) 720-3251 FAX or email at WA911TTY@aol.com.

WANTED: YOUR HELP TO TEST 9-1-1
By Donna Platt

Many 9-1-1 centers want to practice TTY with people from the community. Washington State 9-1-1/TTY Education Program is looking for volunteers to help. You can call 9-1-1 several times a month and communicate with 9-1-1 people who need to practice using TTY and ASL. You will be asked to fill out a form on how 9-1-1 is doing. Someone from Washington State 9-1-1/TTY Education Program will train you what to do. If you are interested and/or need more information, please contact Washington State 9-1-1/TTY Education Program at (206) 322-4996 TTY/V, (206) 720-3251 FAX, WA911TTY@aol.com or come to CSCDHH.

Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Spring Community Classes
By Jackie Engler

We are going to have fun learning new class topics this spring. All classes will be at Seattle Central Community College from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The classes' dates are May 7, 21 and June 4. If you would like to register as DB participant, an interpreter, SSP or need more info, please contact Jackie Engler-Morris at (206) 436-2207 TTY or email JEngler@SeattleLH.com. Or, you can visit our LH DB Program website: www.deafblindlh.com and click on DB Community Class.

Volunteers Appreciation Night for interpreters, SSP's and presenters who participated at DB Community Classes during Fall 2002, Winter & Spring 2003 will happen on Friday, May 16 from 5:30 to 8:30pm at CSCDHH. More details will be announced soon.

AADB 2003 Conference
The conference will be in San Diego, CA at San Diego State University (SDSU), Saturday July 12th to Friday July 18th, 2003. If you need more information contact the AADB home office at: info@aadb.org or (301) 495 - 4402 TTY. SSPs are always needed! SSPs do not pay for room and board, only their transportation to and from San Diego.

DBSC Office And Staff

DBSC Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
DBSC Fax: (206) 328 - 8497

Gail Ploman, Executive Director
Phone: (206) 325 - 7241 TTY
Email: gaploman@speakeasy.net
Marie Massena, Administrative Assistant/ Mentorship Program Coordinator
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: mariem@speakeasy.net

Nancy Wickward, Office Manager
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: dbsc@speakeasy.net

Nancy Sommer, SSP Program Coordinator
Phone: (206) 323 - 3644 TTY
Email: nancyssp@speakeasy.net

Liz Halperin, Advocacy Program Manager/ Advocacy Specialist
Phone: (206) 323 - 9217 TTY
Email: halperin@speakeasy.net

Dave Scotton, Advocacy Specialist
Phone: (206) 328 - 0613 TTY
Email: scottond@speakeasy.net

Mary Bauer, Staff Interpreter
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: mlbauer@speakeasy.net

DBSC Board of Directors

Jeff Foster - President Diane Black - Member
Caryn Tenin - Vice President Leigh Golston - Member
Alex Lee - Treasurer Lynn Martinez - Member
Robert J. Steppler - Member Kathy Steiner - Member

Donors October 2002 to April 2003

Anonymous Donors Patty Flamme
Nancy J. & Steven Allen Dorothy Foster
ASLIS Jeff Foster
Doug & Carol Bailey Marlene Foster
Barbara Bernstein Christine Gilbrough
Mr. & Mrs. John Blondin Leigh Golston
Susan Boudreau Griffin Commercial
Elizabeth Boyd Parts Inc.
Pat Brunzell Steven & Sherri Hawkes
Robin Cashman Jean Healy
Robert Chase Highline Community
Kathryn Cutler College ASL Students
Mairead Droney Timothy & Holly Kent
Judy Durfee Eric Kool-Brown &
Tracy Fitzpatrick-Smith Sheryl Kool
Jeffrey & Sheila Lair Quickstop Deli & Grocery
Larry Lambert Mr. & Mrs. John Rasmussen
Alexander Lee Laurie Reese-Reinhardt
Nancy Leto Donald & Wendy Richardson
Debbie Lindsay Nancy Riley
Carol Logan Robin Rowedder
Bob & Emily Marcus Theodore & Ann Rupley
Lynneth & Gabriel Bob & Cecily Seabourn
Martinez D.D. Sidebottom
Sandie & Steve Masters Gregory D. Smith
Mr. Lawrence Mayer Debbie Sommer
Shelley McCloud Nancy Sommer
Don Meyer Francis Steppler
Shiela & Lachmi Robert J. Steppler
Mohnani Carol & David Straughan
Patricia & Paul Olmsted Mark Tauscher (Sprint)
Karen Ozmun Bernadette Taylor
Anita & Patrick Parkin Caryn Tenin
Jean Lebrun & Gay Lloyd Jackie Van Anda
Pinder Robert & Jean Walker
Nancy & Wesley Pitman Cynthia Wallace
Jason Plourde John & Kathleen West-Evans
Clements Provatakis Woodinville High ASL Students

"Thanks for your generous donations! We could not do it without all your support!"

DONATION FORM

The Deaf-Blind Service Center is a non-profit organization. We are funded through government contracts and individual donations. All contributions are tax deductible within the rules and regulations set by the IRS.

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